drop the handkerchief

American  

noun

1. a children's game in which all the players but one stand in a circle facing inward, while that one player stealthily drops a handkerchief behind a player in the circle who must pursue and attempt to catch the one who dropped the handkerchief before the latter reaches the vacated place.

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Example Sentences

In Bridgeport, Ohio, when parents complained that members of the high-school football squad were undergoing too strenuous training, Coach Al Blat-nik put them to playing drop the handkerchief.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dated references to streetcars, sleeping powders and the children's game drop the handkerchief will come out.

From Time Magazine Archive

I drop the handkerchief, and Virginia erupts with giggles.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone

He must drop the handkerchief behind one of the players, who picks it up and tries to catch him before he can run around the ring and jump into the vacant place.

From Games For All Occasions by Blain, Mary E.

I requested Mr Osborn to drop the handkerchief, as I could not make up my mind to give a signal which might be fatal to the major.

From Japhet in Search of a Father by Marryat, Frederick